We are fortunate to be able to grow some sort of vegetables year round in Florida. But not all vegetables will grow year round.

Planting time is critical, because cool-season crops tolerate and require lower temperatures.

Many of these cool-season vegetables, sometimes called fall or winter crops, can be planted this month through winter. The below planting dates are for North Florida.

Broccoli is an excellent crop for home gardens. Cultural practices are similar as for cabbage. September through February is a good time to plant broccoli and cabbage.Collards will withstand wide ranges of temperatures if properly conditioned. They may be direct seeded and thinned to cabbage spacing or plants may be set. Collards may be harvested by cutting the whole plant or by "cropping" individual leaves. Plant collards during August through February.Onions are generally grown from sets or plants. Sets and plants will require about six to eight weeks to reach eating size. These can be planted now through March. Bulbing onions will not be ready to harvest until spring. Plant bulbing onions September through early December.Radish is ready to harvest only 25 to 30 days after planting. Plant radish seeds September through March.Beets, cauliflower, kale, mustard and turnips can be planted now through February. Carrots and spinach can be planted now through March. Lettuce is best planted either September through October or January through February.

To learn more about this topic, you may wish to attend a Lunch and Learn Vegetable Gardening class that I’m providing for the Okaloosa County employees emphasizing what we can grow during fall and winter, as well as how to incorporate organic gardening techniques that work in Florida’s climate.

The class is open to the public, and is noon to 1 p.m. Aug. 17 at the Gerald R. Edmondson Extension Building, 3098 Airport Road, Crestview.

Bring a lunch if you wish.

There is no cost to attend; however, registration is required due to limited seating. Call 689-5850 to do so.

Larry Williams is an agent at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension office in Crestview.